Myriophyllum

Plant Characteristics

Cultivation

Scientific Names

Myriophyllum >

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Read about Myriophyllum in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Myriophyllum (Greek, myriad-leaved). Haloragidaceae. Parrot's Feather. Water plants, used in aquaria, fountains and pools. One of the eight genera of the widespread water milfoil family, other genera being Gunnera, Hippuris and Proserpinaca, all with minute or inconspicuous individual fls. but interesting and various in foliage. Lvs. whorled or alternate, emersed and immersed, the former entire, dentate or pinnate, the latter divided into capillary segms.: fls. usually monoecious, dioecious or polygamous, in axillary clusters or spikes; calyx none, or present and minutely 2-4-lobed; petals 2-4; stamens 4-8; ovary 2-4-celled, each cell with a solitary ovule.—Species about 20, in fresh water in many parts of the world, from the tropics to the frigid zones. Various native species are likely to be transferred to ponds and aquaria. The parrot's feather is a favorite aquatic plant, with delicate feathery foliage, composed of numerous whorls of finely cut leaves. The one often seen in vases and fountains in public parks has the uncomfortable name of Myriophyllum proserpinacoides. It is a half-hardy plant from Chile, with weak stems which grow out of the water about 6 inches. It may be planted in a watertight hanging-basket, and if water can be kept standing on the surface, the plant will hang gracefully over the edges. Although detached floating branches will persist for some time, the plant needs earth in which to root. The other species here described are hardy plants, which are common in our eastern ponds. Any one of them may be gathered for the aquarium, and the last two are procurable from dealers in aquatics and aquarium supplies. All of them are readily propagated by long cuttings inserted in the earth or mud of the aquarium or pond. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

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References

• Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

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